Edge gap sealing arrangement for the lid of an automobile roof

Abstract

An edge gap sealing arrangement for the rigid lid (1) of an automobile sliding roof, which arrangement is moulded on to the peripheral edge of the lid (1) to form a frame body (3). The frame body has an initially free edge strip (5) extending outwards, which is bent over to form a hollow chamber (7). The strip is arranged to be adjustably secured preferably from below to the frame body (3) with its outer edge adjacent to the peripheral edge of the lid. The seal so formed is adjustable as to its cross-section and the width of the hollow chamber (7) so that it is adapted to dimensional variations and irregularities in the edge gap. Preferably at the outer edge of the edge strip (5) an inner surface portion (8) is provided, which after the edge strip (5) has been bent to form the hollow chamber (7), is adjustably secured to a counter-surface (9) of the frame body (3) by means of a clamping profile strip (10). The clamping profile strip (10) engages into a clamping groove (11) of the frame body (3).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An automobile roof opening arrangement, comprising: a lid having an outer periphery;   an edge seal supported on said lid outer periphery and including a body portion having two surfaces, a generally flexible free edge strip extending generally away from one of said body surfaces and having a terminal end that is supported adjacent the other of said body surfaces such that said free edge strip forms a chamber, said chamber having a cross-sectional dimension and a length that is generally transverse to said cross-sectional dimension, said free edge strip being generally flexible along said entire length; and   a clamping member supported by said body portion such that said clamping member holds said terminal end of said free edge strip in abutting engagement with said other said body surface, said clamping member comprising a clamping profile strip having a substantially T-shaped cross-section with a web portion, an inner flange portion and an outer flange portion, wherein said body portion includes a clamping groove in which said web is received in clamping engagement, said inner flange portion bearing against a corresponding surface on said body portion when said web is received within said clamping groove, said outer flange portion bearing against said free edge strip terminal end, said free edge strip being adjustably held by said clamping member such that a position of said terminal end relative to said body portion is selectively adjustable along said length into at least two of a plurality of positions relative to said body portion.   
     
     
       2. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said clamping profile strip includes a hook strip and said terminal end of said free edge strip includes a holding strip and wherein said hook strip abuttingly engages said holding strip when said channel cross-sectional dimension is at a maximum. 
     
     
       3. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said other body surface includes a plurality of ridges aligned generally parallel with said length and wherein said terminal end of said free edge strip includes a plurality of ridges aligned generally parallel with said length and wherein said body surface ridges at least partially engage said free edge strip ridges when said terminal end of said free edge strip is placed against said other body portion surface. 
     
     
       4. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said body portion includes a clamping groove and said clamping member includes a first portion that is received within said clamping groove and a second portion extending generally perpendicular to said first portion, said second portion of said clamping member abutting said terminal end of said free edge strip and wherein said first portion of said clamping member is selectively moved within said clamping groove to selectively hold said terminal end of said free edge strip against said body portion other surface. 
     
     
       5. The arrangement of claim 1, wherein said body portion includes a counter surface and said free edge strip terminal end includes a corresponding inner surface portion adjacent said terminal end, and wherein said outer flange portion biases said inner surface portion against said counter surface to thereby secure said inner surface portion against said counter surface when said clamping profile strip is appropriately supported by said body portion. 
     
     
       6. The arrangement of claim 1, further comprising a holding strip adjacent said terminal end of said free edge strip and wherein said outer flange portion includes a hook strip and wherein said hook strip and said holding strip cooperate to define a maximum of said cross-sectional dimension.